Anyone ever try Tiramisu? I discovered it from a recipe and challenged it because it was a coffee flavored treat. It’s the best treat I’ve ever had. Ice cream, coffee liqueur, these ‘lady finger’ things, a cheese, and cocoa. Alcohol, coffee, cream and sugar!!

Signature

I eat without fear of certain Death from The Tree of Knowledge because with wisdom, we may one day break free from its mortal curse.

Oh my, yes! This sounds like a perfect treat for me! I will be doing my home-made cookies with chocolate chips and I will put together some of your good things to go with it. My grandmother had a long list of “good things” and it is only a natural idea to carry on. I woke up this morning with very sore throat and may medicate this with your suggestion. I do not drink or smoke any more but I do enjoy any combination of coffee, chocolate and a touch of da booze. Thank you

Isomnia runs in our family, Jack. Not much I can do about it. And Starbucks is overrated and overpriced, although it’s still better than any of the other coffeehouse chains.

Now there’s a genetic study waiting to happen! I’ve never heard of it running in a family. A neurological trait? Yes I agree about Starbucks. We use it a special treat verrrry sparingly and it’s hard for me to pay over three dollars for a cup of coffee even if it is delicious. BTW George, I had a beer a while back at a local eatery that was a Czech brew and just remembered to ask you about it. I believe it was called Urquel Pilsner? I may have misspelled it. I asked for Groelsch and the guy brought me this brew which was pretty smoothe tasting for a lighter beer. Ever heard of it?

D.T. Max is a science writer and the author of The Family That Couldn’t Sleep: A Medical Mystery. He’s written for The New York Times and the New Yorker, and he joins us today from our NPR studios in Washington. Welcome to the program.

Mr. D.T. MAX (Author, The Family That Couldn’t Sleep): Thanks very much.

FLATOW: This sounds like a really unusual disease. They really die because they can’t sleep.

Mr. MAX: That’s essentially right. It’s a disease, fatal familial insomnia. The name sort of puts it all on the table. It’s a progressive, inherited condition, characterized by eventually a total insomnia - leading within about nine months time to death.

Signature

“There will come a time when it isn’t ‘They’re spying on me through my phone’ anymore. Eventually, it will be ‘My phone is spying on me’.” ― Philip K. Dick

The fact is, it is my wife who is more bothered by me not sleeping. It creates problems when one person sleeps only half of the time compared to his spouse. But at least I get more things done. By the time my family wakes up, I am back from a bakery with fresh bread, freshly squeezed orange juice and yes, I do grind my own coffee as well. What else am I gonna do with all that time?

The fact is, it is my wife who is more bothered by me not sleeping. It creates problems when one person sleeps only half of the time compared to his spouse. But at least I get more things done. By the time my family wakes up, I am back from a bakery with fresh bread, freshly squeezed orange juice and yes, I do grind my own coffee as well. What else am I gonna do with all that time?

That was CT’s post George and I’ve never heard of the malady but I guess it is possible to be genetically inclined to insomnia. However, apnea is common in my family on my father’s side. My dad has a mild tendency, my grandfather (paternal) had it, I have it and use a cpap machine, and our son has it as well. Mine was so bad that my wife banished me to the couch for waking her up. I had three sleep studies at a local hospital and sure enough, even though it wasn’t life threatening (unless you count my wife’s threats to choke me for keeping her up) I still had to use the machine. BTW my doc says that unless you have at least 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep to obtain REM, you haven’t sufficiently rested. But you insomniacs are in good company eg. Thomas Edison was a chronic insomniac who only napped between inventions and he had over 500 patents. Also he is labeled a deist but I doubt he even cared about religion at all. Anyway, keep on grinding. It could be good for you, epidemilogologically of course!

Thanks for this thread. I have discovered this last week that I’m hearing noises in my left ear. Some times the noise is loud enough to wake me. I’m also having some problems with my balance and it seems as if my horizontal locating eye involvement is missing when I stand up quickly or reach for something. My primary doctor is on vacation and his assistant has suggested I find an ear specialist. I found a good one and it is a matter of getting a referral and making an appointment.

I had an old friend from my neighborhood in Calabasas offer to drive up yesterday and help me transport the toys for Christmas to the YMCA and I took her out to dinner for driving here from the Valley. I had a couple of balance losses in the restaurant. She will stay here with me until my daughter flies in Monday. I have a baby sitter until I find an ear doctor.

This is a new experience for me. I live very close to the best Jewish Deli and we had a great dinner. I will survive…....Knock-wurst to die for is just what the doctor ordered.

I’m on my second cup of Keurig “Green Mountain - Dark Magic” coffee. Life is good!

Th-th-thanks for the ser-ser-serenity ple-ple-pledge. I will watch Meet the Press, take a nap and then watch the 49er Patrkot ‘s game I will bake some sugar cookies and maybe take another nap. I’m a bundle of nerves.